234 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



The ideal editor of a scientific journal should exert, especially 

 upon the contributors just entering upon their career of research, 

 an extremely valuable educational influence. Hence, if possible, he 

 should be set free for that work. To accomplish this he should re- 

 ceive ail the assistance possible that can be performed by a younger 

 mathematician in a clerical way, such as expert proof reading, etc. 

 Furthermore, as a result of the rapid development of mathematics 

 in so many different directions, it is impossible for any one editor 

 satisfactorily to judge of the merits of the manuscripts sent to him, 

 and he is compelled to seek aid from specialists of established repu- 

 tation as referees. The work of these experts requires time and 

 energy, which it is unjust to demand without pa^mient therefor. 

 The present limited incomes of the journals preclude such payment, 

 and thus there result much delay and other loss, of efficiencv . 



Treatises of Advanced Character and Collected Works. — The Euro- 

 pean academies arrange to publish the collected works of distinguished 

 scientists. In England the great university presses perform the 

 same function, and, furthermore, facilitate the publication, even at 

 a financial loss, of treatises of high scientific character. It seems 

 fitting that the Carnegie Institution should perform a like function 

 in this country. 



We earnestly recommend that the Carnegie Institution arrange for 

 the collection and publication of the works of George W. Hill. 

 We estimate the expense at $2,000 per year for six years. 



We furthermore recommend the publication of the collected works 

 of Euler, which would constitute a thesaurus of the mathematics of 

 the eighteenth century. The expense is cstirndted at $3,000 per 

 year for tAvelve years. 



Grayits to Individuals in Aid of Research in Mathematics. — It should 

 be understood that applications may be made to the Carnegie Insti- 

 tution for aid in specific researches ; for example, in the prepara- 

 tion of tables or of bibliographies or of reports, and in the construc- 

 tion of new models or mechanisms ; but that applications for aid in 

 study without defined productive purpose are tiot desired. 



A most obvious way of promoting research would be to give more 

 freedom or facilities for research to those men or groups of men who 

 through recognized original power are professors in the great univer- 

 sities. One wi.se form of aid would seem to lie in attaching espe- 

 cially able students who have taken the doctor's degree to such leaders 

 in original research as research assistants, an arrangement serving at 



